Bow former



March 17, 1970 L. M. ZADOSKO 3,501,071

BOW FORMER Filed July 2, 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

March 17, 1970 Filed July 2, 1969 L. M. ZADOSKO BOW FORMER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

4 5042400 0 BY fy hi L. M. ZADOSKO -March 17, 1970 HOW. FORMER 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 2. 1969 INVENTOR.

450112400 K0 BY {X United States Patent 3,501,071 BOW FORMER Leo M. Zadosko, 6072 Cochise Drive, Birmingham, Mich. 48010 Filed July 2, 1969, Ser. No. 838,479 Int. Cl. A41h 43/00 US. Cl. 223-46 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A portable hand-operated device for winding ribbon into a hank and opposedly notching the hank at its longitudinal edges. Embodiments comprise a pair of opposed, pivotally-connected, elongated lever arms. Supported on said arms are (1) opposed notching means and (2) rotatable ribbon-winding, holding and positioning means. The latter means operate to so position the hank of ribbon relative to the opposed notching means that hand closure of the lever arms brings the opposed notching means against the hank of ribbon and opposedly notches edges of the hank by a grasping and shearing action.

The notched hanks are useful in forming bows and pompons for ornamental and decorative purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the art wherein strip material or ribbon, customarily ranging from about to about 1%" in width in the case of fabric ribbon, is wound into a bank having a plurality of loops. Thereafter opposed notches are cut in the sides of the hank, customarily intermediate of the ends of the hank, by the operation of scissors, dies, punches or like means. In the case of fabric ribbon the so-notched hanks of ribbon can be formed into attractive bows, rosettes, and similar preparations of an appealing appearance and marketable utility, for example, in package and box decoration.

Although devices and techniques are known in this art, none until the present invention provided for the home trade a simple, easily operated and stored device susceptible of manufacture from economically feasible and advantageous materials. There has existed a need for a portable, hand and home operated apparatus that is relatively inexpensive to produce and yet appeals to the home buyer for extemporaneous notching of strip material or ribbon, especially in the preparation of decorative bows. The art devices that are disclosed are illustrated by those in US. 2,872,986 and US. 2,909,308. The former teaches hand positioning of the wound ribbon and embodies a separate lateral centering device. The latter .teaches a bench-mounted apparatus and embodies ribbon looping means which are positioned on a crankshaft. In the relevant art US. Patent Re. 23,835 discloses notching a folded hank of ribbon by the action of hand held and operated scissors. However, those of skill in the art have found that well-formed notches are not obtained to the extent that elegant, eye and trade-acceptable bows are possible. Moreover, the necessary sharpness of the handheld cutting scissors when cutting more than a minimum number of loops in the hand i a disadvantageous factor.

It is an object therefore of the present invention to provide a ribbon notching device of a conveniently small size for ease of handling, carrying and storing. It is a further object to provide a device of such unexpectedly simple operation and design that great economy of parts and production is possible. These and other objects are accomplished by a hand-operated device with supported positioning and notching means constituting an integral part of an organization including a pair of opposed elongated lever arms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a pair of pivotallyconnected, opposed, elongated lever arms and supported thereon notching means to opposedly notch a bank of preformed ribbon when the hank is properly positioned relative to the notching means. The hank is so-positioned in relationship to the notching means by a ribbon-holding and winding frame which is rotatably supported on the lever arms assembly. The operation of the assembled device is such that the proper relationship of the hank of ribbon and the notching means is obtained. Thi relationship is critical to provide sufficiently deep notches, customarily intermediate the ends of the bank, but not so deep that tearability or ravelling occurs when the notched hank is handled or when the notched hank is tied preparatory to forming the bows, pompons, rosettes and the like, for example, notches about deep in a ribbon 1 inch in width. The essence of the inventive concept and its embodiments is a relatively simple apparatus, small enough to carry, handle and store, yet remarkably efficient in its hand operation to the extent that elegantly formed notched hanks of ribbon are easily obtained from which entirely acceptable and appealing bows are regularly made.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a specific embodiment of a portable ribbon winding and notching device in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 2 is an exploded partially fragmented View of the pivotal assembly of the embodiment of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the attachment of the ribbon winding and holding frame to the pivotal assembly.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the ribbon winding and holding frame, with a loop of ribbon phantomly depicted.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view, partially fragmented, of the positioning of -a hank of ribbon relative to the notching means.

FIGURE 6 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of meansof supporting a ribbon winding and holding frame on one of the pair of opposed lever arms.

In general the device of the present invention essentially comprises a pair of elongated, relatively slender lever arms which are pivotally connected at one end of each member of the pair. A pivotal connection or assembly, in the preferred embodiment, includes a collar or spacer intermediately positioned between the pivoted ends of the lever arms. The pivotal assembly in the preferred embodiment also includes an end-threaded cylindrical bushing which operates as an axle or shaft on which the spacer and the lever arms pivot. A pair of screws provide tightening means at each end of the threaded shaft or axle. Preferably the intermediately positioned collar is raised or elongated at one spot on its circumference to provide attachment means, in the form of a stud or pin, for a ribbon frame winder-holder, as described hereinafter. Supported on one of the pair of lever arms is a part of the cutter assembly or element, namely, first die notchers, preferably of V-shape and oppositely positioned, each having a 10 to 15 angle. Supported on the other of the paired lever arms and directly opposed to the first die notchers is the other half of the cutter element, similar to an anvil. Upon closure of the lever arms, the V-shaped cutter elements are urged against the hank of ribbon so as to shear and notch opposite longitudinal edges of the properly-positioned hank of ribbon. These notcher components of the cutter assembly or elements are preferably made of tool steel, stainless steel or other resistant alloy or metal. They are preferably set or imbedded into a supporting plastic such as a moldable styrene or vinyl plastic of which the lever arms are formed or the lever arms may be of metal or alloy to which the notcher components are attached.

The ribbon frame-winder holder preferably takes the form of a bar or cross-piece on which are supported ribbon looping and holding means in the nature of fingers. The frame is provided with attachment means as hereinafter described usually positioned intermediate the ends of the bar or cross-piece. On either side of the intermediately positioned attachment means are the ribbon winding and holding fingers so spaced fromthe attachment means as to provide the desired length of hank of ribbon. It is probably obvious that the number of ribbon holding fingers can vary from one on each side of the intermediately placed attachment means to as many as two or three or four on each side. It is also probably obvious that these ribbon-holding fingers can be riveted and positioned in a trough in the frame or cross-piece so that, depending upon the desired length of the hank of ribbon, the particular fingers to be used remain upright, perpendicular to the frame or cross-piece and the one not in use at the moment can lie folded down in the trough. Optionally, a single ribbon holding finger can be provided on each side of the intermediately positioned attachment means and each of the so-provided ribbon fingers can be slidably supported in a trough or other receiving mechanism of the bar or cross-piece to be moved at will to determine the desired length of any particular hank of ribbon. It is also probably obvious that the ribbon winding frame with the ribbon holding fingers supported thereon can be used as a hank forming apparatus separately from the other elements of the inventive device, namely the opposed lever arms, pivotal means and intermediately positioned collar and then after the proper length of hank has been obtained, the ribbon winding frame with the hank positioned thereon can be properly placed on and within the opposed lever arms as is described in the preferred embodiment.

Preferably the attachment means provide an anchoring member on which the ribbon frame winder holder rotates while the hank of ribbon is being formed from a plurality of loops and preferably the anchoring member is a part of or is placed on the intermediate collar and is in the nature of a male part for connecting with the corresponding female part or well in the frame. However, the reverse can be used wherein the anchoring member is on the ribbon frame and the receiving female well is in the intermediate collar. The attachment means may take other forms or embodiments such as a cylindrical pin preferably tapered, with a corresponding well, a snap collar embodiment for attachment to a member having an area of some compressibility over which the stnap collar slides easily, a threaded pin with a correspondingly receivably and rotatably threaded well or a rotatably-inserted member urged by handheld pressure into proper relationship with the receiving well. As aforesaid, there is a to angle on the male portion of the cutter elements which are usually so spaced as to provide no more than about of unnotched ribbon within th customary to 1%" wide ribbon. As stated, these dies are preferably V-shaped, however, they may take a crescent shape or other shape depending upon the particular type of notch to be obtained in the hank of ribbon. It has been found that the angle die within the ranges from about 10 to about 15 avoids sliding and provides a clean notch without ragged edges which are particularly inappropriate in obtaining elegant bows. The pivotal connection means have been described in reference to an intermediately positioned collar with an end-threaded cylindrical axle or shaft on which the spacer and lever arms pivot. However, other pivotal connection means are operable such as disjointed lever arms on which the frame can be positioned on the hinge member for winding. Spring-type means are also operable connecting one of the opposed lever arms to the other. One of the lever arms can have a larger pivotal portion with a tap pole on which a pin supported on the ribbon frame fits. However, it is preferable to have the pin on the inside of the lever arms where it is protected although the reverse is operable with a tap pole in the pivotable portions and with the pin on the winding frame. Rivet means are operable for pivotally connecting the opposed lever arms. As aforesaid, the intermediately positioned collar with the attachment means supported thereon is the preferred embodiment and usually has a diameter of about one inch with a A" through hole. In the preferred pivotal assembly the preferable dimensions from the far end of the pivotally connected arms is about 1%" from the site of the longitudinal axis of the pivot. Much distance beyond that requires too much pressure for hand operation and a distance less than that does not provide elegant notches.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As shown in FIGURE 1, illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the inventive concept, the device, a strip material or ribbon winding holding and notching apparatus comprises a pair of elongated lever arms, 10 and 11, pivotally connected by a pivotal assembly comprising an intermediately positioned collar, 17, on which is supported the post, 18, which in turn supports the pin, 19, shown inserted in and through the bar frame, 21. The screw, 20, is shown in position in the pivotal assembly, the bushing in the nature of an axle being here covered by the remainder of the pivotal assembly but shown hereafter in FIGURE 2. Supported on each of the lever arms, 10 and 11, are elements of the die cutter assembly. On lever arm, 10, there are the two V-shaped male notcher elements in position on the base plate for said elements, held in support on the lever arm, 10, by the screws for the plate, 14. The opposedly positioned anvil shaped notcher element, 15, is supported on the other lever arm or upper lever arm, 11, and the screw, 16, is utilized for attaching said anvil shaped notcher element, 15, to the lever arm, 11. In further reference to the bar frame, 21, are shown ribbon holders, 22. On one side only of the bar frame, 21, ribbon gripper slots, 23, are provided. The said ribbon holders, 22, are pivotally attached by the rivet, 24, and positioned within the trough, 25, within which they can be lowered as required for the sizing of a particular hank of ribbon. In the preferred pivotal assembly shown in FIGURE 2, a portion of each of the lever arms, 10 and 11, is depicted along with the intermediately positioned collar, 17, on which is supported the post, 18, serving as a base for the pin, 19. The screws, 20, are shown in relation to the threaded bushing or axle, 26, along with the through hole, 28, through which the said bushing or axle, 26, is passed when assembly of the total device is carried out. The preferred attachment means whereby the ribbon frame or bar frame, 21, is rotatably affixed and positioned within the aforesaid lever arms, 10 and 11, is shown in FIGURE 3. Therein the post, 18, and the attached pin, 19, are shown in a partial cross-section of the ribbon frame, 21. The pin, 19, is provided with the compressible slot, 32, whereby the ridge, 29, on the pin, 19, is slideably and rotatably engaged within the well, 30, in the ribbon bar frame. First chamfer, 31 and second chamfer, 33, allow for said slidable and rotatable insertion of the pin, 19, within the well, 30, of the bar frame. FIGURE 3 shows the pivotal connection of the ribbon holder 22 by means of the rivet, 24, and in the corresponding oppositely placed ribbon holder the ribbon grip and holding slot, 23, is shown. FIGURE 4 illustrates holding of the loop of ribbon, 34, in the ribbon gripper slot, 23, on the ribbon holder, 22, with the ribbon holders being shown disposed in the trough, 25, by the pivotal connection, 24. In the preferred embodiment forming the subject of FIGURE 5 is shown a notched bank of ribbon, 35, having been notched by the opposed action of the lever arms, 10 and 11, whereby the die elements, 12 and 15, have been brought together to form the notch, 36, in the hank, 35. The hank, 35, is shown with three loops of ribbon, 34, although, as aforesaid, a plurality of loops of ribbon are operable in forming the hank preparatory to notching. The elements of the notcher are shown in the V-shape and anvil form which is the preferred embodiment although as aforesaid, other shapes such as crescent shape notchers are operable.

OPERATION Preferably the ribbon bar frame, 21, is already attached and positioned rotatably within the lever arms, 10 and 11, by use of the attachment means, 18 and 19. A pair of the ribbon holding fingers, 22, is in place perpendicular to the bar frame, 21, one on each side of the intermediately positioned collar, 18. One end of the hand held ribbon, 34, is positioned in and retained by the ribbon-gripping groove, 23, in the ribbon holder finger, 22. The loop of ribbon, 34, is then passed around the opposite counterpart ribbon holder, 22, on the other side of the intermediately positioned die cutter elements. The loop of ribbon, 34, is wound around the two ribbon holders, 22, until the desired number of loops of ribbon have been made to form the desired hank. The loose end of the ribbon is then cut as shown in FIGURE and the device is ready for operation to notch the longitudinal edges of the hank of ribbon, 35. The lower lever arm, 10, is hand held or positioned on a fiat surface and the ribbon bar frame, 21, is lowered by means of the action of the pivotal assembly to position the hank of ribbon in juxtaposition to the male die cutter element, 12. Then the opposed lever arm, 11, is lowered and urged down against the male die cutter elements, 12, so that the said V-shaped cutter elements form opposed notches in the ribbon hank by being urged into position in the opposed anvil-shaped receiving female cutter die, 15. Thereafter, upon successful formation of the notches, the lever arm, 11, is raised along with the ribbon holder bar frame, 21, exposing the notched hank of ribbon, 35, for easy removal from the ribbon holding fingers, 22, by retracting said ribbon holders, 22, down into the trough, 25.

Alternate construction An alternate assembly for supporting the ribbon bar frame 21, on one of the opposed lever arms, 10, is shown in FIGURE 6. Therein the right angle arm, 37, is posttioned in the slot, 38 and lever arm, 10, and by pivotal action around the pivotal pin, 39, can be urged downwardly so as to position a hank of ribbon onto the male V-shaped die cutter element, 12. In this alternate construction, the preferred form of attachment means is shown whereby the post, 18, on the right angle arm, 37, is provided with the pin, 19, with the slot provlding compressibility of the said pin on insertion within the female receiving well in the bar frame, 21

Although illustrative embodiments in the way of preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed supra, those of skill in the art will be aware of obvious structural variants by means of which the inventive concept can be embodied and practiced. Hence, this invention is illustrated only and not set forth by way of limitations of the inventive concept.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable device for looping and notching ribbon or strip material comprising:

a pair of elongated hand-operated lever arms pivotally joined at one end by pivot means having a longitudinal axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of said arms;

spaced paired male notching means supported on the inside of one said lever arms and reciprocal female notching means directly opposedly supported on the inside of the second said lever arms; and

a bar-frame having at least two spaced finger means oppositely supported thereon for holding a plurality of ribbon loops in forming a hank of ribbon or strip material, and

attachment means for removably and rotatably positioning the bar-frame between said lever arms and between said male and said female notching means with the longitudinal axis of said bar-frame transverse to the longitudinal axis of said lever arms and with at least one of said spaced finger means placed on one side of the longitudinal axis of the lever arms and at least one other of said spaced finger means placed on the opposite side of the longitudinal axis of the lever arms, whereby closure of the lever arms urges the said male notching means and the said female notching means against a hank of ribbon or strip material held on said finger means and singly notches opposed longitudinal edges of said hank.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the attachment means comprise one element thereof on the pivot means and the reciprocal element thereof on the bar-frame.

3. The device of claim 1 where in the attachment means comprise one element thereof on one of the lever arms and the reciprocal element thereof on the bar-frame.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the notching means comprise two V-shaped male elements and one anvil shaped female element.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the pivot means comprise a spacer-collar positioned intermediate the pivotal ends of the lever arms.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 23,835 '6/1954 McMahon 22346 X 2,872,086 2/1959 Duncan 223-46 2,909,308 10/1959 Davata 223-46 MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner G. V. LARKIN, Assistant Examiner 

